Albemarle-Pamlico Sounds
Public Attitudes Towards Water Quality and Management Alternatives in the
Albemarle-Pamlico Estuarine System
Type: Condition
of habitat and sources affecting habitat (i.e., the condition or functionality
of the habitat).
Category: Submerged and Intertidal
Cost: Information not provided.
Description: During Phase I, an extensive literature review and a personal
interview/survey were conducted to determine the level of understanding of the
causes, severity, and consequences of water quality problems in the APNEP region.
Phase II makes operational a theoretical model of the relationships between
background characteristics and public attitudes regarding the APNEP estuarine
system and continued the extensive interview/survey process. The focus shifted
from a consideration of the natural resources themselves to a consideration
of management alternatives. Knowledge about, and attitudes regarding, the effectiveness
and equity of different environmental policies and programs were assessed. Public
support and potential public support for management alternatives within the
APNEP system were determined.
Outcome: Most respondents were fairly knowledgeable about certain major
issues, but were not well-informed about the connection between upland drainage
and estuarine health. Most respondents were quite concerned about health of
the APNEP region, but less concerned about their immediate surroundings. Most
associated water quality problems with point-source dischargers. University
professors were seen as most credible; government agencies were also seen as
quite credible. Private interest groups, on the other hand, were viewed with
some suspicion. It was widely held that management efforts should be expanded,
and directed for the public good, not private interests.
Contact: Joan Giordano, APNEP Public Involvement Coordinator, 943 Washington
Square Mall, Washington, NC 27889; Phone: (252) 946-6481, Fax: (252) 975-3716,
Joan.Giordano@ncmail.net
Citations: · http://h2o.enr.state.nc.us/nep/projectsprogram.htm#Public
Attitudes Towards Water and APNEP Reports 90-27 and 92-13
|
